Forget about the memories in your mind’s eye. Or the afterglow of that great four-handed massage you experienced on holiday. The nose matters more.
They say nothing is as mnemonic as the sense of smell. What better way to indulge the pleasures of a great trip than with a popped cork. (And we’re not talking wine bottle.)
Tranquillity in Tokyo
Palace Hotel Tokyo’s connection to its surrounding natural environment is echoed in its signature fragrance. Made of a blend of 11 essential oils – including blue cypress, anise, lavender, lemon, lime and eucalyptus – the hotel’s original ‘Pure Tranquillity’ essential oil floats through the main lobby of the hotel and has captivated many guests. Those looking for an aromatic reminder of their stay can take home the scent in various forms, including as an essential oil, fabric mist, and bath salts.
Floral Fragrance of a Tropical Island in Thailand
Stepping out of the rain shower at Banyan Tree Samui, a visitor might be forgiven for thinking they’d suddenly gone to Heaven, such is the ethereal aroma of Thai Chamanard, the flower blossom that serves as the signature scent for Banyan Tree resorts and hotels worldwide. Cardinal in the resort’s shower gels, shampoos, soap, body lotions and linen spray, chamanard is renowned for enlivening the spirit with its delicate, crisp floral fragrance, and smooth sweet undertones evoking dreamy images of a tropical paradise in Thailand. The shampoo is blended with camellia seed oil and organic argan oil, while lotions have the additional ingredient of cogon grass root, which is rich in potassium, delivering instant and lasting hydration, and making skin more firm and moisturised.
The Brush of Blue Velvet
At Meliá Chiang Mai and Meliá Pattaya, guests are welcomed by the brand’s exclusive signature scent, Blue Velvet. Designed to capture the essence of luxury and comfort, the fragrance opens with bright notes of bergamot, lemon, and orange before unfolding into a warm heart of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cardamom. These rich layers are anchored by a sensual base of amber, musk, and sandalwood, creating an aroma that is both soothing and sophisticated. Floating through lobbies and guest areas, the scent is more than a fragrance – it’s part of the memory of staying with Meliá in Thailand, a subtle signature that lingers long after departure.
Making a Splash in Da Nang
The TIA Wellness Resort team reached out to Hanoi-based botanical scents hunter, Laurent Severac, when developing their signature scents. TIA gave Severac the overall scent direction and the key components they wanted to feature, so he could make the oils that take guests on an olfactory well-being journey. Severac has spent decades scouring Vietnam and Laos for botanicals and his deep knowledge and reverence for plants is reflected in his creations. While several different scent combinations set the scene in different areas of the resort, the two most well-known (that are used in treatments and available for guests to take home) are the Stillness and Splash oils. These scents embody the two pillars of the resort’s wellness philosophy with Stillness supporting the cultivation of inner stillness and self-connection, and Splash aiding creativity and self-expression. TIA’s Stillness blend features the soothing aromas of pine needles, wild mugwort, orange leaves, wild vervain flower, and Peru balsam. The uplifting Splash blend features notes of grapefruit, lime, lemon, sweet orange, orange carnation, and wild verbena.
Living up to the Fragrant Harbor Name
The name “Hong Kong” means “fragrant harbour” in Cantonese and the area’s aromatic roots are beautifully reflected at The Hari Hong Kong. When La Bottega crafted a scent for the hotel, they drew inspiration from the destination’s history, creating an aroma reminiscent of the dreamy smells that first enchanted the British. The result is a lush blend of fragrant flowers including tiare, frangipani, ylang ylang, magnolia champaca, jasmine, freesia, and water lily, which blend together to create a sweet and soothing smell. Orange flowers, cedar, gardenia, honeysuckle, sandalwood, patchouli, musk and vanilla also make up the complex scent profile. This enchanting aroma is found in the custom-made bath products and is available to take home as The Hari candle or as a scent diffuser.
Cambodian Botanicals
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, a 93-year-old luxury icon in Siem Reap, Cambodia, sits steps from world-renowned archaeological treasures like Angkor Wat. Its exclusive signature scent, “Jasmine Mandarin,” captures the essence of the region’s lush landscapes. Crafted locally by Kambio Nature & Scent, this fragrance transforms Cambodian botanicals, including jasmine and mandarin, into potent aroma oils, blending tradition with sophistication. Available solely through Kambio, the scent evokes the hotel’s timeless elegance and Cambodia’s vibrant heritage. Guests experience this unique fragrance throughout the property, creating an immersive sensory journey that complements the hotel’s historic charm and cultural significance.